TSAMTO, February 24. The European MBDA Group announced that the UK and France have confirmed the start of preparatory work for the implementation of the program for the creation of a promising multipurpose cruise missile FC / ASW (Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon).
The intergovernmental agreement and related contracts were signed by the Directorate General for Armaments (DGA) of the Ministry of the Armed Forces of France and the British Organization for the Purchase and Maintenance of Defense Products (Defense Equipment & Support – DE&S).
According to MBDA CEO Eric Beranger, "after the completion of the FC/ASW concept development stage, the confirmation of the start of preparatory work indicates the trust of the two countries in MBDA. Expanding the portfolio of systems for striking deep into enemy territory and anti-ship systems will allow MBDA to offer the armed forces an advanced solution that meets their requirements and is adapted to existing and future tasks."
The purpose of the preparatory work is the coordinated development of a program for the creation of a new generation of missiles for striking targets in the depth of enemy defense and anti-ship warfare. The project will evaluate two complementary missile concepts that are expected to be adopted at the end of this decade: the concept of a subsonic stealth missile and the concept of a supersonic high-maneuverable missile. These concepts should meet the requirements of France and Great Britain and will provide a revolutionary opportunity to hit ground and surface, well-protected targets and long-range air defense systems in difficult combat conditions.
FC/ASW will complement MBDA's portfolio of weapons systems, the development of which continues to adapt to new threats.
As reported by TSAMTO, the implementation of the British-French FC/ASW program began in 2010 after the signing of an agreement on cooperation in the field of defense and security at Lancaster House by British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
The MBDA Group conducted preliminary studies from 2011 to 2014, and since 2017 has started the concept development stage.
The FC/ASW program is aimed at developing a new generation of missiles by 2030 in order to replace the Exocet and Harpoon missile defense systems, as well as a missile system for attacking SCALP/Storm Shadow ground targets.
